Traditional ethnic sports in spring festivals

Every spring, as traditional festivals take place across the revolutionary homeland of T Quang, ethnic sports and folk games emerge as distinctive cultural highlights, contributing to a vibrant festive atmosphere and attracting large numbers of local people and visitors.

The boat racing festival on the Lo River (Minh Xuan Ward), held annually on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, attracts large crowds of locals and tourists.

In the spring festival space, ethnic sports are an integral part of the cultural life of local communities. The Tay, Nung and Dao people preserve familiar games such as shuttlecock throwing, stilt walking and pestle wrestling, while the H’mong and Lo Lo communities maintain traditional activities including tu lu spinning, sang and yen games, and pao throwing. In addition, emblematic sports such as stick pushing, tug of war and crossbow shooting are widely practiced, reflecting the martial spirit and daily life of many ethnic minority groups in mountainous areas.

Ethnic sports share common features of simple organization and easy-to-understand rules, making them suitable for different ages and genders. This accessibility creates lively community spaces, strengthening solidarity and cohesion within villages. While stick pushing tests physical strength, agility and mental resilience, tug of war emphasizes teamwork and collective discipline. Crossbow shooting, meanwhile, requires technical mastery, endurance and intense concentration, cultivated through long-term and persistent practice. Many outstanding athletes have devoted decades to these traditional sports, contributing to their preservation and promotion.

At the Long Tong Festival in Bac Quang Commune, held annually on the full moon of the first lunar month, ethnic sports such as con throwing, tug of war, stick pushing and crossbow shooting draw widespread participation, creating a joyful atmosphere at the beginning of the year. The red ‘con’ ball soaring in the spring breeze symbolizes wishes for favourable weather and abundant harvests. Local authorities regard the preservation of festivals associated with ethnic sports as a key measure to safeguard cultural values and foster community bonds.

Linking traditional sports with tourism is opening up new opportunities. At cultural and tourism events such as “Through the Heritage Land of Hoang Su Phi Terraced Fields,” visitors not only admire the majestic landscapes but also participate directly in ethnic games, immersing themselves in the festive life of highland villages. Many international tourists have expressed deep impressions after joining folk games, gaining a better understanding of local life and cultural identity.

According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ethnic sports and folk games are not only valuable intangible cultural heritage but also an important resource for sustainable tourism development, helping enhance the attractiveness of destinations during the spring festival season.

Hoang Ha